but I get up again.I've been talking to farmers about weather a lot in the past week. It seems like everyone has at least one story. The bottom line is, sometimes you loose a crop (or part of a crop or many crops.) There are no guarantees. The only thing that comes close is this: plants want to survive. They are tough. I could take a lesson or two from them.
Each season brings it's own challenges and (hopefully) rewards. Looking out onto the fields I am beginning to see recovery. It has been a huge setback and pulling off all the damaged fruit has been nothing short of heartbreaking. Although I am sure we haven't found the last of the unpleasant surprises, I am encouraged by the energy that is left in those plants. We're doing what we can by pruning and adding compost tea to get them healthy and productive again. It is still too early to tell, but as long as the weather cooperates, we should have a shot at something.
In the meantime, we've been showered with advice, encouragement, and seeds to plant from friends and fellow growers. Not to mention the fact that the hail didn't seem to bother the weeds and bugs a bit. So though we may be a little rough around the edges, we're back in business. Things aren't going to be what they could have been, but you can't cry over blemished green tomatoes (after all, they might make for a delicious salsa...)
